Hello there
If you have limited or no insurance coverage at the time you are looking for counselling and find the cost a barrier, please ask about my sliding scale.
My Background
I was born and raised in California and fell in love with Canada when I moved up to B.C for University where I completed my Bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2005. I worked in California as a youth care worker in group homes until I married my university sweetheart and we moved to the prairies of Saskatchewan. There I found my love for the counselling field while working as an addictions counsellor at RockSolid Refuge for four years. A few of my own children, a season of life experiences and a move to Calgary later I decided to pursue my passion and continue my education in counselling psychology. I studied with Yorkville University and after this and my time as a practicum student with Insight Counselling and Therapy Centre and Rise Calgary, I completed my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. I am currently registered with the CCPA as a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC).
My Approach
I am informed in and pull from the therapeutic models of Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Attachment Theory, Somatic-Hakomi practices, IFS, and am HAES (Health at Every Size)-Informed for eating concerns and body image work. I believe in the power of going slow to get somewhere fast when working to create lasting change. I genuinely look forward to getting to know my clients, to be a part of their exploration while we learn how they make sense of living in their world. I am drawn to deepen exploration through curious questioning, slowing down a moment, moving from thoughts to feelings, and compassionately connecting with all the parts of you. I naturally seek out patterns, learned behaviors, family systems and protective stances that we consciously or unconsciously find ourselves in. ​​When working with relationships I pull mostly from Sue Johnson's Emotionally focused therapy and from Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication theory hoping to explore each others worlds of underlying emotions and attachment needs.
​Therapy can be painful at times, bringing out ​​wounds, traumas, past and present hurts.
I acknowledge the need for a trusted environment during these conversations, and aim to create a safe and secure therapeutic alliance at all times.
Ethics and Registration
I am licensed and governed by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, CCPA. I adhere to their Code and Ethics and Standards of Practice.​Through the CCPA I hold the designation of a Canadian Certified Counsellor, CCC. Please check with your insurance company to ensure you are covered to work with a Certified Canadian Counsellor.
